On Birthdays

Today we are celebrating my husband’s, Kirk’s, birthday.  I am so excited about it and always try to figure out something special for a gift and perhaps a different way to celebrate.  But, I have noticed that lots of people don’t share my enthusiasm.  They don’t want to celebrate their birthdays and they don’t want to have anyone else celebrate them either.  And while I will respect a person’s choice with regard to how they view their own birthday, I don’t completely understand.

For me, I LOVE celebrating birthdays.  I remember that when we were young, we didn’t have big birthday parties but rather super family celebrations.  On our birthday, we could have mom make whatever we wanted for our dinner and there was always a homemade cake with ice cream and a present.

I suppose that for those who don’t want to remember, let alone celebrate, their birthday, it represents that they are another year older and perhaps another day sadder.  Maybe they did not accomplish the goals that they had set for the past year or they view it as being closer to dying.  It might be that as they grow older, they are fearful that they are more likely to become ill and/or find that they are inflicted with pain on a regular basis.  Perhaps a birthday reminds them that they may not have enough money to live on or a place to live or friends around them or the ability to go places and do things so that they can enjoy life when they get older.  I suppose that it’s like anything else – you can either enjoy the day or dread it.

For me, I LOVE celebrating birthdays.  I remember that when we were young, we didn’t have big birthday parties but rather super family celebrations.  On our birthday, we could have mom make whatever we wanted for our dinner and there was always a homemade cake with ice cream and a present.  We were the queen or king for the day and everyone acknowledged us by sending out a birthday greeting in whatever way worked from them.  It was the most special day of the year because it was our day.

I still feel the same way about birthdays.  In fact, I like the idea of birthday weeks!  I think that a person should be able to do something that they would like to do and that they should celebrate with a special meal.  I still believe that there should be a birthday cake and ice cream and perhaps a special present that is different than what you might go out and buy for yourself, something that a person can always remember that they got for, say their 34th? birthday.  But, most of all, I think that a birthday should be a special recognition of the person.

I know that today I am celebrating Kirk and the person that he is and the importance that he is in the lives of so many people, especially me.  I know how fortunate I am to have him in my life.  I celebrate the person that he is who cares so much about his family and friends and how good and kind and thoughtful he always is. I appreciate the way he does everything possible to make a difference in the lives of others, often putting them ahead of his own wants and needs.  Oh, there will be some presents and cake and ice cream and we will do whatever it is that he would like in order to celebrate.  But most of all, I want to celebrate him and all that he is just because he deserves it.  And, I hope to be able to continue that celebration beyond today, into the next week and the next month and throughout the coming year and I wish for him the realization of all of his birthday wishes.  Happy Birthday, Kirk!!!